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Browsing by Author "Sousa, N"

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  • Cortical maturation in fetuses referred for ‘isolated’ mild ventriculomegaly: a longitudinal ultrasound assessment
    Publication . Miguelote, RF; Vides, B; Santos, RF; Palha, JA; Matias, A; Sousa, N
    OBJECTIVES: To compare cortical maturation between fetuses with isolated mild ventriculomegaly (IMV) and healthy fetuses, and to explore its potential prognostic value in IMV. METHODS: This prospective study quantified cortical maturation by ultrasound in 24 fetuses with IMV and 46 healthy fetuses. Depth and grading the developmental pattern of the parieto-occipital fissure (POF), calcarine fissure (CF) and sylvian fissure, and grading the Sylvian fissure operculization at 23-25, 27-28 and 31-32 weeks gestation were determined. RESULTS: At 23-25 and 27-28 gestational weeks, POF and CF mean depths were statistically lower in the IMV group. The POF and CF depth distribution had a normal distribution in the control group but displayed a bimodal distribution in the IMV group. IMV with progression of ventricular dilatation showed mean depth of CF lower than IMV in which ventriculomegaly regressed or remained stable. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value and negative predictive value of a CF depth below the fifth percentile to predict progression of ventricular dilatation were, at 28 weeks, 100%, 88%, 67% and 100%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Cortical fissure assessment by ultrasound allowed the differentiation of a subgroup of IMV fetuses with a higher risk of progression of ventricular dilatation.
    2012Journal article Open access Show more
  • Efeitos da Exposição Pré-natal à Dexametasona na Mucosa Gástrica
    Publication . Leão, P; Oliveira, M; Botelho, C; Mariz, J; Roque, S; Correia-Neves, M; Sousa, N
    2009Conference object Open access Show more
  • Prenatal Exposure Dexamethasone Alters the Cytokine Profile: Implications for Peptic Disease
    Publication . Leão, P; Oliveira, M; Botelho, CM; Mariz, J; Lamas, N; Sousa, N
    2008Conference object Open access Show more
  • Risk and clinical-outcome indicators of delirium in an emergency department intermediate care unit (EDIMCU): an observational prospective study
    Publication . Mariz, J; Santos, NC; Afonso, H; Rodrigues, P; Faria, A; Sousa, N; Teixeira, J
    BACKGROUND: Identification of delirium in emergency departments (ED) is often underestimated; within EDs, studies on delirium assessment and relation with patient outcome in Intermediate Care Units (IMCU) appear missing in European hospital settings. Here we aimed to determine delirium prevalence in an EDIMCU (Hospital de Braga, Braga, Portugal) and assessed routine biochemical parameters that might be delirium indicators. METHODS: The study was prospective and observational. Sedation level was assessed via the Richmond Agitation-Sedation Scale and delirium status by the Confusion Assessment Method for the ICU. Information collected included age and gender, admission type, Charlson Comorbidity Index combined condition score (Charlson score), systemic inflammatory response syndrome criteria (SIRS), biochemical parameters (blood concentration of urea nitrogen, creatinine, hemoglobin, sodium and potassium, arterial blood gases, and other parameters as needed depending on clinical diagnosis) and EDIMCU length of stay (LOS). Statistical analyses were performed as appropriate to determine if baseline features differed between the 'Delirium' and 'No Delirium' groups. Multivariate logistic regression was performed to assess the effect of delirium on the 1-month outcome. RESULTS: Inclusion and exclusion criteria were met in 283 patients; 238 were evaluated at 1-month for outcome follow-up after EDIMCU discharge ("good" recovery without complications requiring hospitalization or institutionalization; "poor" institutionalization in permanent care-units/assisted-living or death). Delirium was diagnosed in 20.1% patients and was significantly associated with longer EDIMCU LOS. At admission, Delirium patients were significantly older and had significantly higher blood urea, creatinine and osmolarity levels and significantly lower hemoglobin levels, when compared with No Delirium patients. Delirium was an independent predictor of increased EDIMCU LOS (odds ratio 3.65, 95% CI 1.97-6.75) and poor outcome at 1-month after discharge (odds ratio 3.51, CI 1.84-6.70), adjusted for age, gender, admission type, presence of SIRS criteria, Charlson score and osmolarity at admission. CONCLUSIONS: In an EDIMCU setting, delirium was associated with longer LOS and poor outcome at 1-month post-discharge. Altogether, findings support the need for delirium screening and management in emergency settings.
    2013Journal article Open access Show more
  • Suicidal behaviour in frontotemporal dementia patients-a retrospective study
    Publication . Fonseca, L; Duarte, J; Machado, A; Sotiropoulos, I; Lima, C; Sousa, N
    2014Journal article Open access Show more
  • 2008Conference object Open access Show more